Biologist.

About the role

This position involves supporting native fish species rehabilitation and conservation in the Lake Superior basin, including acoustic tagging projects for lake sturgeon and other species, lake sturgeon gamete collection, and brook trout electrofishing surveys in tributaries.

Responsibilities

• Assisting with planning and implementation of activities associated with native fish species rehabilitation and conservation in the Lake Superior basin
• Participating in acoustic tagging projects for lake sturgeon and other species, lake sturgeon gamete collection to support rehabilitation efforts, and brook trout electrofishing surveys in tributaries
• Analyzing, interpreting, and summarizing a wide variety of biological data collected during various investigations and population monitoring activities
• Supporting efficient data collection methods and proper storage in relational databases
• Maintaining and fostering a network of resource agency partners that support basin wide objectives for native species rehabilitation and conservation in the Great Lakes
• Developing reports and presentations to effectively communicate project and survey results to partner agencies and stakeholders
• Coordinating with staff to procure goods and services necessary for carrying out day-to-day operations and for equipment repair and maintenance
• Participating in the implementation of outreach and education programs

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National
• Merit promotion applicants must meet time-in-grade requirement as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F
• Suitability for employment, as determined by background investigation
• Must hold and maintain a valid state driver's license throughout employment (position requires operating a government or private motor vehicle as part of official duties)
• Official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform is required
• Will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period OR 2-year trial period during which fitness and whether continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated
• Individuals assigned male at birth after 12-31-59 must be registered for the Selective Service (verify at SSS.gov)

Qualifications

Only experience and education obtained by 08/07/2026 will be considered. In order to qualify for this position you must possess both the Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualification.

Basic Requirement: Possess a degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR possess a combination of education and experience that is equivalent to a major in a biological science. The quality of the combination must be sufficient to demonstrate that the applicant possesses the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform work in the occupation, comparable to that normally acquired through a full 4-year course of study with a major in the appropriate field. In addition to courses in the major and related fields, a typical college degree would have included courses that involved analysis, writing, critical thinking, research, etc., providing skills and abilities sufficient to perform progressively more responsible work. Creditable experience should have demonstrated similarly appropriate skills or abilities.

Minimum Qualification (GS-09): Possess at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors) performing work in the field of fish biology, fisheries management, or aquatic resource conservation. Specialized experience includes: (1) assisting with the planning and implementation of field-based projects related to fish or other aquatic species; (2) collecting, analyzing, interpreting, and summarizing biological data obtained through fish population monitoring, surveys, or other investigations; and (3) preparing reports, presentations, or training materials to communicate project results to partners, stakeholders, or the public.

OR have completed two years of progressively higher level graduate education at an accredited college or university leading to a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree in wildlife biology, ecology, or a directly related field appropriate to this position.

OR have an equivalent combination of professional experience and graduate level education beyond the first year which together equals 100% of the requirements. (When combining education with experience, first determine the total qualifying education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level; then determine the experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level; finally, add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify.)

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations. Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Time In Grade Requirement: Applicants must meet both eligibility and qualification requirements by the closing date of the JOA, including time-in-grade requirements as specified in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.

Education

• Proof of Education: All applicants using education or a combination of education and experience to qualify must submit copies of official or unofficial transcripts which include grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, institution name, and student name. If any required coursework is not easily recognizable on transcripts, or if you believe a portion of a particular course can be credited toward meeting an educational requirement, you must also provide a memorandum on letterhead from the institution's registrar, dean, or other appropriate official stating the percentage of the course that should be considered to meet the requirement and the equivalent number of units. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable; however, if selected, you will be required to produce the original official transcripts.
• Pass/Fail Courses: If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society.
• Graduate Education: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.
• Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.

Telework

This position is suitable for telework and may be allowed to telework with supervisory approval.